Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 23 August 2004, 5:50 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Ulmer Slices Seconds Of World Record To Win Gold
MSD Social Report Receives Mixed Reviews
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Iran Threatens To Attack US Forces – Associated Press
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Images: Civil Protests For And Against Civil Unions
A Kiwi Activist Reports In From Palestine
Stateside: Campaign Notes
Sheila Samples: Being President Means Never Having To Say…
Martin LeFevre: Reflections On The Nature Of Evil
Harvey Wasserman: Door Opened For Nuclear Apocalypse
Lauren Moret: Dirty Depleted Uranium
Marc Ash: Mindless Slaughter In Najaf
Manuel Valenzuela Addresses The Palestinian Conflict
Uri Avnery: A Very One-Sided War
UQ Wire: The Coincidence Theorist's Guide to 9/11
John Roughan: Letter From Honiara
William Rivers Pitt: Not So Swift Boat Veterans
Jay Shaft: Homeless In The Home Of The Brave

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Civil Union Bill Defended By Minister Decried By Others
$1200 Compensation For Murderer Outrages Opposition
Coddington Addresses The Demise Of The Amazing Alison Annan
ACT's The Letter
Govt Urged To Front On Maori Land Access Question
New High Commissioner To Pacific Hot Spot
Who Wants To Put Humpty Together Again?
Hide And Coddington Take Auckland's Pulse
Advertising For PHO Promotion Is An Abuse Of The Taxpayer
School Deficits On The Up And Up
Judith Collins Vs The Council Of Trade Unions
Labour Enabling A Foreign Takeover Of Godzone – Greens
Call For A Referendum On The NZ Flag
Sing-Along Courses Come To The Big Apple

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00233.htm
He Came – He Had His Say – He Left
Photo Essay: Brian Tamaki Comes To Parliament

LEAD STORY:
Ulmer Slices Seconds Of World Record To Win Gold

- New Zealand's Sarah Ulmer sheered a further two seconds off her world record set the previous day winning an Olympic Gold medal in Athens early Monday morning (NZ time). See... Sarah Ulmer Wins Gold: Sheers 2 Seconds Off Record [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00229.htm

MSD Social Report Receives Mixed Reviews

- Economic gains are being mirrored by social gains, new research released today by the Ministry of Social Development says. See... Social development matches economic development [1] and NZ Social Wellbeing Compares Well With OECD [2] REACTION: - CTU - Report Highlights Social Deficit Entrenched in 90s [3] - PHA - Social Report Findings Need Radical Solutions [4] - National - C+ not acceptable on Social Report [5] - Greens - Labour’s division -report shows inequalities [6] - United Future - Turner: Fine Words, Actions Awaited [7] - ACT - 'Social Report' Glosses Over The Hard Facts [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00360.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00207.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00208.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00218.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00359.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00361.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00373.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00375.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0408/S00082.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00231.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00205.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00219.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00203.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00201.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00362.htm

Iran Threatens To Attack US Forces – Associated Press

- Iranian Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani warned that Iran might launch a preemptive strike against US forces in the region to prevent an attack on its nuclear facilities. See... Iran Warns Of Preemptive Strike Against US Forces [1] and Iranian Defense Min. Shamkhani Remarks Distorted [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00215.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00204.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00212.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00211.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00210.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00203.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00209.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00208.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0408/S00207.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Images: Civil Protests For And Against Civil Unions

Images of today's Pro and Anti Civil Union Bill protest marches in Parliament's grounds. See… Images by Kevin List, Images: Enough (Civil Unions) Is Or Isn't Enough [1] and Dylan Packman, Scoop Images: Civil Union Protests In Lambton Qy. [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00233.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00232.htm

A Kiwi Activist Reports In From Palestine

- Damian Clarke, a 31 year old from Miramar in Wellington New Zealand, has arrived in Palestine to be trained as an activist with International Solidarity Movement - a group campaigning for peace in the Middle East. This is his first report to Scoop. See... NZer Arrives In Palestine To Train As Activist [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00231.htm

Stateside: Campaign Notes

- The last week has seen the airwaves being bombarded with the most wonderful argument for third party politics that any electoral reformer could have hoped for. Hours and hours of news time have been devoted to the pathetic he said/he said politics ... See... Stateside With Rosalea: Political Allsorts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00228.htm

Sheila Samples: Being President Means Never Having To Say…

- George W. Bush once told The Washington Post's Bob Woodward the great thing about being president was that he didn't have to answer to anybody. ''I'm the commander,'' Bush bragged. ''See -- I do not need to explain why I say things... " See... Sheila Samples: The Terrorist Behind That Tree! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00227.htm

Martin LeFevre: Reflections On The Nature Of Evil

- This is the third in a series of columns on the deepest and most timeless questions facing the human being. In the first I examined God, nature, and religion; in the second I explored human consciousness in the cosmos. In this piece I will investigate the nature and operation of evil. See... Meditations (Spirituality): Own Your Own Darkness [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00217.htm

Harvey Wasserman: Door Opened For Nuclear Apocalypse

- George W. Bush's big-money backers at Ohio's infamous FirstEnergy electric monopoly are re-opening the door for a nuclear apocalypse by terror or incompetence (whichever comes first). In classic Bush style, they are trashing public oversight as they go. See... Bush's Nuke Cronies Re-Open Door For Apocalypse [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00226.htm

Lauren Moret: Dirty Depleted Uranium

- Vietnam was a chemical war for oil, permanently contaminating large regions and countries downriver with Agent Orange, and environmentally the most devastating war in world history. But since 1991, the U.S. has staged four nuclear wars using depleted uranium ... See... DU: Dirty Bombs, Dirty Missiles, Dirty Bullets [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00225.htm

Marc Ash: Mindless Slaughter In Najaf

- There is a human catastrophe looming at The Shrine of Ali in Najaf, Iraq. See... Marc Ash: Alternatives To Mindless Slaughter [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00224.htm

Manuel Valenzuela Addresses The Palestinian Conflict

- Here we are, living in the first decade of the 21st century, and still the violent animal in the human condition exists, thriving inside our carnal passions and still primitive mammalian brains, oozing out of humanity to release the demons of evil ... See... Manuel Valenzuela: The Untermensch Syndrome [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00223.htm

Uri Avnery: A Very One-Sided War

- "For all I care, they can starve to death!" announced Tzahi Hanegbi, after Palestinian prisoners declared an open-ended hunger strike against prison conditions. Thus the Minister for Internal Security added another memorable phrase to the lexicon of the ... See... Uri Avnery: A Very One-Sided War [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00222.htm

UQ Wire: The Coincidence Theorist's Guide to 9/11

- That governments have permitted terrorist acts against their own people , and have even themselves been perpetrators in order to find strategic advantage is quite likely true, but this is the United States we're talking about. See... UQ Wire: The Coincidence Theorist's Guide to 9/11 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00221.htm

John Roughan: Letter From Honiara

- Recently the Honiara Beautification Committee had to take things into their own hands. City leaders, over the past ten years, have been selling off, piece by piece, the city's prime real estate. See... John Roughan: Public Space. Private Concern! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00220.htm

William Rivers Pitt: Not So Swift Boat Veterans

- A lady finds a snake injured in the road. She takes it home, cares for it, helps it heal, and the two become friends. One day, the lady is in her garden with the snake, and the snake suddenly bites her in the throat. See... William Rivers Pitt: Not So Swift Boat Veterans [1] MORE: - John Chuckman: The Trouble With Electing Caesar [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00219.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00216.htm

Jay Shaft: Homeless In The Home Of The Brave

- The plight of millions of people who lost their homes and now share housing with others. The ongoing struggle to pay the bills that threatens to make millions more homeless. Part two in a five part series on the alarming increases of homelessness, ... See... Jay Shaft: Voices of the Lost and Forgotten Part 2 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00218.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0408/S00232.htm
"Enough Is Enough" – Or Is It?
Civil Union Bill Protest, Pro & Anti, In Lambton Quay

Civil Union Bill Defended By Minister Decried By Others

- The Human Rights Commission's endorsement of the Civil Union and Relationships (Statutory References) Bills is a timely reminder that removing discrimination remains at the heart of this legislation, says the Associate Justice Minister. See... Civil Union about removing discrimination [1] MORE: - Campaign for Civil Unions - Time To Recognise Diversity [2] & Campaign for Civil Unions (Auckland) - Submission [3] - Joint Statement - Civil Unions - No threat to marriage or children [4] - HRC - Bills Contribute To Non-Discriminatory Society [5] - Christian Heritage - Enough is Enough – Its Time For a New Agenda [6] - Christians for Civil Unions - Christians for Civil Unions Will Attend HR Rally [7] EARLIER: - Wgtn Braces For Monday's Enough is Enough Campaign [8] -Destiny Churches: "We've had Enough of Prostitution" [9] -Destiny Churches: Haka Sets the Scene for ‘Enough is Enough’ [10]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00370.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00216.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00215.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00212.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00211.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00200.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00198.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00191.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00190.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00189.htm

$1200 Compensation For Murderer Outrages Opposition

- If there was any justice, Human Rights Review Tribunal members would owe New Zealanders a around $1.2 billion - $1,200 in damages for up to one million Kiwis, including me and every ACT voter, ACT New Zealand Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks said today. See... Human Rights Drongos Owe Me And You $1,200 [1] MORE: - National - Soothing murderer's feelings with $1200 PC madness [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00376.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00364.htm

Coddington Addresses The Demise Of The Amazing Alison Annan

- If there's one thing the Cambridge High School furore has demonstrated it's that education policy in this country is going to hell in a handcart. See... Liberty Belle: The Cambridge High School Furore [1] MORE COLUMNS: - Judith Collins - Celebrating Families 23 August 2004 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00367.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00385.htm

ACT's The Letter

- As parliament is in recess and the nation is watching the Olympics, it has been a quiet week. What has happened to the Kiwi male? It is the women who are winning gold and the All Blacks are the wooden spoon holders of the tri-nations. See... ACT's The Letter - Monday 23 August 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00383.htm

Govt Urged To Front On Maori Land Access Question

- ACT New Zealand Rural Affairs Spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today called on the Labour Government to stop dithering and decide whether Maori land is to be subject to public access or not. See... Respect Every New Zealander's Property Rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00380.htm

New High Commissioner To Pacific Hot Spot

- New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Fiji will be senior diplomat Michael Green, Foreign Minister Phil Goff announced today. See... Goff names new High Commissioner to Fiji [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00384.htm

Who Wants To Put Humpty Together Again?

- ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy today warned candidates, standing for the upcoming District Health Board elections, of the surprise awaiting those elected - that their role will be to serve Health Minister Annette King, not the people who ... See... All The King's Men -- Heather Roy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00379.htm

Hide And Coddington Take Auckland's Pulse

- Speeches to "Taking Auckland's Pulse" public meeting; Bruce Mason Centre; Takapuna; Sunday August 22, 2004. See... Taking Auckland's Pulse -- Rodney Hide [1] and A Revolution In Education Is What's Needed [2] REACTION: - Peter Dunne - ''It’s The Voters, Stupid!'' [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00378.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00381.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00368.htm

Advertising For PHO Promotion Is An Abuse Of The Taxpayer

- The Labour Government's spending of almost $1 million in health funding, to advertise its Primary Health Organisations, is nothing more than blatant electioneering, ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today. See... Health Money Used For Self-Promotion [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00374.htm

School Deficits On The Up And Up

- The deficits carried by New Zealand schools have doubled from $14 million to $29 million in the past eight years, United Future education spokesman Bernie Ogilvy said today. See... Ogilvy: School Deficits Double In Eight Years [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00369.htm

Judith Collins Vs The Council Of Trade Unions

"The CTU has scored an own goal in its rush to defend the Labour Government's plans to pile even more costs onto struggling District Health Boards," says National Party Health spokeswoman Judith Collins. See... CTU should get its facts straight [1] and DHBs budget $26 million for Holidays Act [2] . See also CTU... National Smokescreen on Holidays Act Evades Issue [3] and Health Workers Deserve the Holidays Act [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00366.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00357.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00217.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0408/S00214.htm

Labour Enabling A Foreign Takeover Of Godzone – Greens

- The Green Party says Labour's growth strategy will inevitably lead to the foreign take-over of New Zealand's land and businesses and the loss of our sovereignty as a nation. See... Greens Reject Foreign Investment Free-For-All [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00363.htm

Call For A Referendum On The NZ Flag

- Green MP Rod Donald will be asking the Prime Minister to hold a referendum at the next election on the future of the NZ flag. See... Donald calls for New Zealand flag referendum [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00362.htm

Sing-Along Courses Come To The Big Apple

- The announcement that a controversial Maori sing-along course will be extended into Auckland shows the Government is continuing to waste millions of dollars on low-quality tertiary courses, says National’s Education spokesman Bill English. See... $80m tertiary mess gets bigger [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0408/S00358.htm

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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